Thai movie เทวดาเดินดิน / Grounded god was released in year 1976 and lasts 2h24mn. It
was released under VCD format by Solar company and lasts 2h10mn. The cable TV
version lasts 2h24mn (but some parts are censored through pixelation). It was remastered
by Five Star production in the decade 2010s. It was also released through a Thai TV
series in 2001. Movie director is ChatriChalerm Yukol. Thai actors and actresses are
Sorapong Chatree, Boo Wibunnan, Wiyada Umarin, Namgneun Boonnak, Kanchit
Kwanpracha, Marasri Isarangkul, ต่อลาภ กำพุศิริ, กิตติ ดัสกร. This movie mirrors the
youthful chaos of the year 1976. The movie was shot at the time of the 1976 violent
crackdown on leftist students and protests that occurred in Thammasat university,
bangkok. This movie reminds of Stanley Kubrik's violent "Clockwork Orange'' movie and
Bonny and Clide story. It is unofficially claimed that Oliver Stone was inspired from this
Thai movie for his controversial "Natural Born Killers'' as many parallels are seen. Two
young guys including Sorapong Chatree and Toi (ต่อลาภ กำพุศิริ) are dealing with heroin.
The police led by inspector Adul (Kanchit Kwanpracha) fail to catch them. He promises
to catch them within 15 days. A journalist takes pictures. Young lady Viyada is robbing
malls. The two guys take refuge in Viyada's home as Sorapong knows Viyada. They are
modern Thai hooligans. The three young hooligans are living thanks to small thefts
(stealing goods, wallets...). They are in rebellion with society (ปัญหาสังคม), i.e. they like
damaging public installation, breaking windows, frightening and robbing middle class
people, eating in restaurants without paying. Toi is keen on drugs also. Police inspector
Adul has never had time for his family even on wedding day or children's birthdays.
Journalists called them เทวดาเดินดิน (Grounded gods) as they can do whatever they want,
they always escape, and nobody can catch them. They have nothing to lose and know
they will die sooner or later. When robbing a house and neutralizing the occupants, they
get a gun. While stealing a car, they face a strong foreign owner, who fights against them.
He is shot dead by Sorapong so they flee to Southern provinces by train. Sorapong, one
of the hooligans, is rebelling against the system as when he was a soldier, he was told to
kill communist villagers but those people were good people worshipping the King of
Thailand so he lost faith in Thai official institutions. Adul was Sorapong former military
superior so it is becoming a personal affair. They become more and more violent. They
are caught in a whirlpool. They rob banks and shot policemen. Followed by police, they
finally find refuge in the South of Thailand around Yala where they continue their bank
robbing. Boo (Boo Wibunna), an ordinary bank staff, decides to join them. They get too
much media coverage. Surrounded by the Police, they hide in the jungle and are captured
by a Muslim community. Wiyada is injured in the leg. The community is fighting against
Thai institutions also but have real motives. It is precursory regarding current violent
events happening in South of Thailand. Helping during a fighting where the village is
attacked, they are allowed to quit the muslim community. Back in Bangkok, they try to get
help from their drug dealer, being an old woman, but they get expelled. Wiyada's injury is
getting worse. Wiyada wishes to die in Pattaya near the sea. Chased by the police, they
end up in a high tower. The hooligans finally die under Thai Police bullets. This movie
also highlights criticism of newspapers looking for scoop and raising them as heroes.